Complete tangent, but:
You can share files with Dropbox without the reciever having a n account, and as far as I can tell without installing software on either computer. Just login to dropbox.com, upload, and move the file to a public folder.
I really wish I understood why people don't do this generally, it's quite painless if you have an account already.
Re:Chaining USB drives
by potatolicious on Friday November 25, 2011 @04:59PM
(#3278354)
For small files when you're working with someone it's easy. For large files though it's a pain - you have to wait for it to upload from your end, and then for it to down on their end.
This is pretty annoying if they're sitting 10 feet away, and you can get it done faster if you just pull out a USB stick and do it that way.
There really needs to be a solid way to share P2P with someone on the same network.
What if instead of chaining drives together - you used the same design but it was a 1 port USB hub exposed on the end of the thumb-drive?
Like most things on Yanko Design, the design comes first, then they try to think of a use for it.
I see a big difference between what they show on their site (space helmets?! NASA will be pleased to know that somebody solved the design problems of their $12M/piece space suit) and what's actually for sale (candle holders, wallets and vases). It's their small world, giving each other design awards for things that we will never see because they are physically impossible.
But I have never, ever, ever, thought "dammit! If only I could plug more USB memory sticks into this infernal machine!"
In fact, the only time I'm ever using a USB stick is to sneaknet some files to someone else (because in the year 2011 we have yet to figure out quick, painless filesharing with people you're physically near by. though Dropbox is starting to get ubiquitous enough...), and that hardly requires more than one USB port.